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4.3 CHECKING INDOOR AIR-FLOW RATE
4.3.1 ESTIMATING AIR-FLOW RATE USING EXTERNAL STATIC PRESSURE
A common method of checking indoor is to measure the external static pressure that
the air-handler is working against and then referring to the air-flow data in Section 3.12.
Measuring external static pressure to a high degree of precision in the field is challeng-
ing, so keep in mind that the air-flow rate determined by this method is an estimate, but
is accurate enough for all practical purposes.
To determine external static pressure, the static pressure should be measured in inches
of water column across the air-handler using an incline manometer, digital static pres-
sure meter, or a Magnahelic. The static pressure inside the return plenum should be
measured as close to the air-handler as possible and must be measured between any
external filter rack and the unit so the pressure drop across the filter is accounted for.
The static pressure inside the supply plenum should be measured at a point about half-
way between the air-handler and the first elbow or the end of the plenum. Total exter-
nal static pressure is the sum of the return and supply plenum static pressures. Even
though the return plenum static pressure is a negative pressure, it must be added to the
supply plenum static pressure, ignoring the negative sign. The supply and return ple-
num static pressure tubing can also be connected to both pressure ports of the pressure
measuring device which will automatically add the two pressures together.
4.3.2 ESTIMATING AIR-FLOW RATE USING ELECTRIC HEAT
TEMPERATURE RISE
If the air-handler is equipped with an electric heater, the air-flow can be estimated
using the air temperature rise across the air-handler with the heater and blower both
energized once the unit has run long enough for the temperatures to stabilize. As with
determining air-flow rate using external static pressure, the air-flow rate determined by
this method is an estimate, but is accurate enough for all practical purposes. Measure
the return air temperature as close to the unit as possible and the supply air temperature
about half way from the air-handler to the first elbow or end of the supply plenum. Use
the following formula to calculate air-flow rate once the temperature rise is determined.
CFM = Heating BTUH / (Elevation Factor
×
Temp Rise °F)
L/s = (895
×
Heating kW) / (Elevation Factor
×
Temp Rise °C)
Note:
Refer to Sections 4.3.3 and 4.3.4 to determine Heating Capacity and the following
chart for Elevation Factor.
4.3.3 CORRECTING ELECTRIC HEAT kW FOR VOLTAGE
The actual electric heat kW varies with the supply voltage. Use the following formula to
correct the heater rated kW at voltages other than rated voltage.
Actual kW = Rated kW × (Actual Voltage
2
/ Rated Voltage
2
)
.
4.3.4 CALCULATING ELECTRIC HEAT CAPACITY IN BTUH
Use the following formula to convert heater kW to heating capacity in BTUH.
BTUH Capacity = kW × 3412
(Where 3412 = BTUH per kW)
4.4 CHECKING REFRIGERANT CHARGE
System refrigerant charging should only be performed after the indoor air-flow is con-
firmed to be correct for the application. Once the air-flow is confirmed, refer to the
manufacturer’s outdoor unit charging chart and installation manual for the proper
charging procedure for the system.
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